RESEARCH:
We only see James with his parents in the 1860 census listed as a cooper, like his father. We’ve wondered, since Jane is missing from the 1860 census and James is the same age as Jane, whether the census taker misunderstood the gender and name. This could be the case since William Bishir, in his pension application, lists all of his brothers and sisters, including Jane Bishir, but does not list a James Bishir.

If, on the other hand, James really DID exist, there is a 13 year old James Byshier living in Union Twp., Clinton Co., Ohio with the Henry Hemelwright family in 1850. He is a bit old for our James, but if it is him, it would explain why he is missing from his family in 1850.

There is a James Basher (and many other spellings of the last name) who lived in Clinton Co., Ohio and we think was probably Jonathan and Elizabeth Bishir’s son.

Confusing the issue is that there is a James K. Barsheer living as a laborer with the John T. Early family in Liberty Twp., Clinton Co. in the 1860 census. Is James Barsheer the later James Barshear in Clinton Co. and a different person than our James? Or could our James have been double enumerated at his home and at his place of work?

James Barshear served for 9 months during the Civil War in the 79th Ohio Infantry and was discharged for disability in March, 1863.

James Barshere was living with the Darbyshire family in Liberty, Clinton Co., Ohio in 1870.

James Bishiear of the 79th Ohio, Co. D is listed in the 1890 census veterans’ schedules in the Clinton Co., OH infirmary.

James Basher was living in Union, Clinton Co., Ohio in 1900 with his wife and son, James Jr. He is listed at 75 years old.